Question

what was a result of the fugitive slave act?
○ northerners mostly supported the new law to help reduce sectionalism.
○ tensions increased between the north and the south.
○ congress abolished slavery in the district of columbia.

Explanation:

The Fugitive Slave Act (part of the Compromise of 1850) required Northerners to assist in returning escaped slaves to the South. This act actually increased tensions between the North (where many opposed it on moral/abolitionist grounds) and the South (which felt it was a necessary protection of their "property" rights in slaves). Option A is incorrect as Northerners largely opposed the act, seeing it as forcing them to support slavery. Option C is incorrect as the abolition of slavery in DC was a separate part of the Compromise, not a result of the Fugitive Slave Act.

Answer:

B. Tensions increased between the North and the South.